World Water Congress 2015 Edinburgh Scotland
4. Key vulnerabilities and security risks
Author(s): Richard Allan
Richard Allan Research Fellow: Sustainable Water
The James Hutton Institute
Oral: PDFAbstract
The Sustainable Drinking Water Agenda
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The Global Challenge
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A short history of water treatment
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Water treatment considerations
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Water safety planning
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The Centre of Expertise for Water (CREW) approach
The research agenda
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Is a close loop sustainable water system possible?
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What innovations will add value and enhance public health protection?
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What are the impacts of changes in the catchment on existing treatment systems?
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Modular systems design to allow tailored solutions for local conditions.
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Low cost and low maintenance solutions are needed at a local level.
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Understanding social justice and community need is central.
Summary
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Sustainable water is a global challenge.
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Water treatment is essential for protecting pubic health.
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Science and engineering should continue to seek innovative ways of achieving sustainable water and wastewater systems.
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The water treatment process has multiple nodes of failure, the operators should know the systems well and manage the risks.
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Microbiology continues to be the most significant risk to public health and needs pro-active management.